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(No Model.) 5;Sheets-Sheet 1.

. 0. P. BRIGGS. MACHINE FOR MAKING BARBED WIRE.

No. 281,443. Patented Jul -'17, 18.88..

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'5 Sheets-Sheet 2. 0. P. BRIGGS. MACHINE FOR MAKING BARBED WIRE.

(No Model.)

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0v. P .-BRIGGS. MACHINE FOR MAKING'BARBED. WIRE. No. 281,443. PatentedJuly 17, 1883..

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(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

0.. P. BRIGGS. MACHINE FOR MAKING BARBED WIRE.

N'o.281,443. PatentedJuly1'7,1883.

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U ITED STATES PATENT OF ICE.

ORLANDO P. BRIGGS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE THORN WIREHEDGE COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

MACHINEFOR MAKING BARBED WIRE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 281,443, dated July 17,1883.

Application filed February 1], 1882. (No model.)

To. all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ORLANDO P. BRIGGS,

I of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have inventednew and useful Improvements in Machines for Making Barbed Wire; and I dohereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,which form a part of this specification.

The invention herein set forth relates to the manufacture of that classof barbed-wire fencing generally designated as the Kelly barbed wire. Inthis class of fence-wires the barbs are centrally apertured, and arefirst strung upon a single wire, then distributed thereon, and finallyinsome manner secured so as to remain at substantially equal distancesapart. Ordinarily barbs of this class are cut from sheet metal indiamond form, and it has been the more usual practice to fasten thebarbs in place upon the fence-wire by compressing them edgewise, so asto laterally contract the aperture therein and to thus cause the barb tohug the wire. With this wire so provided with barbs a second and plainor unbarbed wire has commonly been twisted to give the desired strength.The barb has, however, been held in place on the first wire by a secondwire twisted therewith, though no machine has, prior to this invention,been devisedto properly space and hold them while being thus secured. Asthe double or cable form of the wire is the form of fencing nowgenerally used, and as the barbs maybe sufficientlyheld by the secondwire alone, the latter mode of securing the barbsat proper intervals ispreferred, and the machine herein described is accordingly constructedto secure the barbs by this method. The devices herein set forth forspacing the barbs preparatory to fastening them may, however, be used inconnectionwith means for securing the barbs by compression, as will beobvious. from the description. a

In all machines heretofore built for making the Kelly barbed wiremechanical forces have been exclusively relied upon to properlydistribute the barbs preparatory to fastening them. Such machines havealso been made to give an intermittent forward movement of thefence-wire, said wire being arrested while the mechanisms for fasteningthe barbs are in operation.

Among the objects of the present invention are, first, to provide amachine adapted to space and fasten the barbs while giving thefence-wire a continuous forward motion; second, to provide a machine forseparating and spacing the loosely strung barbs upon one wire, andsecuring them exclusively by a second wire with the first; and, third,to provide a machine in which the force of gravity or the weight of thebarbs is'utilized in distributing or spacing said barbs on the wire uponwhich they are strung.

To these and other ends that will hereinafter further appear theinvention consists in the matters set forth in the following descriptionand pointed out-in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of mymachine. Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a cross-sec tionof the spacing-wheel on line 00 w in Fig. 1, showing also itsconnections with the shuttle. Fig. 4 is a vertical central sectionthrough the shuttle. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the shut tle. Figs. 6 and7 show different views of the rock-stop shown in elevation in Fig. 4.Fig. 8 shows the plate marked M in Fig. 1 in a detached and enlargedelevation, showing also the various connections thereto. Fig. 9 is adetached view of the fingers m. Fig. 10 is an end view of Fig. 8. Fig.11 is a side elevation of the wire-carrier, the end portion of which isalso shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 12 is a detached detail, showing thewire-clamp 0 also shown in Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a detached elevation ofthe. gate 0 in Fig. 11. Fig. 14 is a cross-section'of the wire-carrier.Fig. 15 is a detached view of the switch-lever r, shown in adifferentview in Fig. 1. Fig. 16 is a plan view of the twisting-frame N,with all the different parts connected therewith. Fig. 17 is a detachedview of the latch-platen, shown in its proper position in Fig. 16. Fig.18 is a connection of the squirrel-wheel 8 shown in Fig. 19 is a topview of spools and carrier. Fig. 20 is an elevation of guide-plate (iFig. 21 is a section through line a a of 100.

Fig. 19.

The general features of construction and operation in the machine ashere shown may be briefly outlined as follows: Separate spools areprovided atproper points in the machine for the several wires that areto form the completed cable, and it is contemplated that the barbs shallbe all strung upon one of said wires previous to its introduction to themachine. Said barbs are massed together at or near the free end of thewire which carries them, in sufiicient numbers to occupy the entirelength of wire on the spool when properly distributed or spaced thereon.Elevated supports are provided, upon which most of that portion of thewire whereon the barbs are so massed is stretched in a horizontalposition. Gates distributed at intervals along the course of thesesupports divide the mass of barbs into separated groups, whereby thefence -wire is more readily drawn forward through them, said gates beingconstructed to allow of their being raised to permit a group of barbs topass them from time to time, as desired by the operator. At the deliveryend of said supports is located a wheel, over which the wire isdeflected, so as to give the latter a downward course. toward andthrough the barbspacing devices, and along which vertical portion of thewire the barbs thereon may fall by their gravity. A group or mass ofbarbs is delivered from the horizontal to this vertical part of the wirefrom time to time by lifting the gate next the deflecting-wheel, whensaid barbs are drawn forward over the said wheel by the movement of thewire. The rear gates are then lifted and the several groups advancedtoward the deflecting-wheel. From the deflecting-wheel the wire passesto a grooved wheel having notches at equal intervals in its peripheryfor the accommodation of the barbs. Said notches give the wheel aresemblance to asprocket, and it is hereindenominated a sprocket-wheel.As here shown, the wire is guided by the deflecting and sprocket-wheelsin a vertical direction, and along this vertical part of the wire arelocated, first, devices called pickers, which separate the barbs, one ata time, from a superposed mass; and, second, a series of vibratingstops, which alternately catch and release the falling barbs, and thelast of which stops finally delivers them successively into the notchesof the sprocket-wheel. Devices are arranged to deliver the second wirealongside the barbed wire while the latter is in bearing upon thesprocket-wheel, and from said wheel both wires pass in a horizontaldirection to the twister. The twist is formed in the two wires up to thepoint where the lat ter leave the sprocket-wheel, so that the barbs areclosely held by the two wires at the distance apart given them by thespacing devices. The twister or flier in the machine shown isdirectlyand positively geared with the other rotating parts. To enablethe operator to quickly arrest the machine in case of accident,therefore, a powerful friction-brake is applied to the flier, wherebythis effect may be obtained. The elevated support (first above referredto) for that part of the wire which carries the mass of barbs is madeduplex, or is constructed with two sets of gates and guides arrangedside by side, so that when one wire is being fed into the machine asecond may be arranged in place, ready for use. The duplex supports aretherefore movable and combined with shifting and locking devices,whereby, when one wire is used up, the other may be quickly brought intoline with the deflect ing-wheel. By this means the machine may be keptmore continuously in operation. Along the entire course of the barbsuntil they reach the sprocket-wheel, devices in the nature ofguide-plates are arranged, by which the barbs are held with their pointsin the same direction across the wire, so that they may properly engagewith the successive stops.

The machine will now be particularly described by reference to thedrawings and to the letters marked thereon.

In said drawings, A is a frame which sup ports portions of the workingdevices of the machine.

B is a table or bed-plate sustained by the frame A.

G is a bracket extending upward from the bed-plate, and furnishingbearings for the deflecting-wheel E, and also a support for thelaterally-movable end of the horizontal carrier-frame G.

Q is a bracket rigidly attached to the opposite or rear end of thecarrier-frame, being pivotally supported upon the post P. This brackethas obliquely-arranged spindles upon its rear extension, upon either ofwhich may be removably journaled a spool, R, carrying a fence-wire, F,having barbs ready strun therc on at its free end sufficient in quantityto supply the full length of said wire when they are properly separatedand distributed, as subsequently performed by the machine.

Centrally upon the frame G are supported a number oflongitudinally-arranged plates or tables, I), somewhat elevated abovethe frame, and arranged in line with each other, for the support of thatportion of the wire F upon which the barbs are strung. Said plates areof width suflicient to allow two wires, with barbs strung thereon, tolie lengthwise and side by side on the plate without contact orinterference of the barbs 011 one wire with those 011 the other. At thatend of each of these plates nearest the spools B said plates are beveleddownwardly and laterally, as more clearly indicated in Figs. 19-and 21,and each of said plates is also downwardly beveled at its'opp osite end,as shown by transverse shaded lines in said Fig. 19 and in sideelevation, Fig. 21. Adjacent to said last-mentioned end of eachsupporting-plate bis located a transverse upright, 0, having twovertical slots, arranged side by side and distant from the edges of theplates inwardly, say, about one-fourth of the width of said plates, asshown in Fig. 13, the said vertical slots in said upright being ofsuffieient widthto allow the barbs to pass through them ina horizontalposition. The outer arms of the uprights e are transverselyand'vertically slotted to receive the outer ends of the gates c, whichare pivoted in said outer arms opposite the depressed ends of the plates12, as clearly shown in Fig. 13. These gates are provided with centralnotches, c, iu'their loweredges,to allowthe wires F to freely passtherein; but when in place for this purpose said gates hold the barbsfrom movement with the wire. The upper surfaces of the tables b areusually about a fourth of an inch belowthe level of the upperextremities of said .notches c, which is a little more than half thewidth of the barb in its middle and broadest part, so that the wires F,having barbs thereon and resting upon said tables I), will freely passthrough said notches when the gates are closed.

The depression or downward inclination of the adjacent end of the tableI) is for the purpose of allowing the wires to pass with equal freedomwhen they are somewhat bent as when they are straight, room being thusgiven for a downwardly-bent portion of the wire to settle just in frontof a gate, instead of causing the wire to bear too severely against theupper end of the notch of the said gate.

In order to hold the gates a closed during the operation of the machine,a button, 0 is pivoted to a central arm of the upright in position toswing over the innerend of the said gates.

The object of the uprights c and the gates thereto attached is to dividethe body of barbs strung upon the wire F into small groups, in order toprevent them from binding upon the fence-wire, and thereby interferingwith the free forward movement of the latter. Afurther object of thegates c is to hold the wires in place upon the tables I), andparticularly to prevent the end of the wire last drawn from the spoolfrom flying off the table and becoming entangled with'the flier, whichis located directly beneath it.

The object of the laterally and downwardly beveled ends of the tables I)is to bring the barbs into horizontal position as they approach theseveral gates, in order that they'may bear transversely against the saidgates or crosswise of the notches c in the lower edges thereof, forotherwise they would be likely to tip and bind upon the wire F, so as toimpede the free forward movement of the latter.

The duplex construction of the uprights c and gates c is to accommodatetwo fence-wires a arranged parallel with each other upon the gates 0 andupon the tables 11, posts S S are provided adjacent to the spools,(being preferably in the nature of roller-pins,) inside which theseveral wiresF are trained, as also shown in Fig. 19.

At each side of the line of tables I), and sup ported-by thecarrier-frame G, is atrough, G, in which the wire of a full spool,having the barbs massed thereon, is first laid, preparatory to itsadjustment up on the table b and beneath the gates c.

At the end of the trough nearest the spool is located a horizontalroller, 1), which allows the "barbs upon-the end of the Wire to be morefreely drawn forward, it being'understood that the spool is brought tothe machine having the barbs grouped on the outer or free end of thewire, and having said free end temporarily fastened to the flange of thespool, in order to confine the wire and barbs. Inplacing the spool onthe machine and adjusting the wire and bars the outer end of the wire isloosened from the spool-flange and is-drawn forward in i 'wire upon theother spool shall have been exhausted, the end of the wire being allowedto remain in the clamp 0 until it is desired to splice it with the lastend of the wire being barbed. When one of the wires F has been used up,the other is brought into line with the deflecting-wheel E by laterallyshifting the adj acent end of the carrier-frame G, which is accomplishedby means of the shifting-lever 1". (Shown in Figs. 1 and 15.) This leveris pivoted at r to the rearwardly-projecting arm 0 of the upright G,and, at a suitable distance inward from this pivotal point, it is alsopivoted at r to the under surface of the carrier frame G. The inner endor edge of the supporting-arm O is curved in the arc of a circle drawnfrom the pivotal point 1", and is pro vided with two notches to admitthe lockingslide r attached to the lever r, in the usual manner of suchdevices, by which the carrier is held permanently in place for either ofthe wires F to be properly delivered to. the deflecting-wheel E. Theupper surface of the wheel E is arranged in line with the upper sur-'face of the tables I), and said wheel has a broad periphery, preferablysomewhat concaved or grooved, so that the wire will draw to the centerthereof, though it may be plane or cylinudrical, as shown in Fig. 2 ofthe drawings."

Beneath the wheel E, and near the lower part of the machine, is mountedon ahorizontal axis the sprocket-wheelH, having a grooved periphery, aswill be'further described. Over this wheel the fence-wire F passes fromthe deflecting-wheel E in a vertical direction, in order that the barbssupplied to said vertical portion of the wire may fall thereon bygravity.

Between the wheels E and H are arranged a number of devices forseparating the barbs a, one by one, from the bottom of a column suppliedfrom time to time from the horizontal to the vertical part of the wireF, and for controlling their movements until delivered to thesprocket-wheel. These devices will next be described.

First, the barbs upon the vertical part of the wire F are guided into aregular position parallel with the axis of the sprocket-wheel by meansof an upright stationary guideplate, (1, arranged just back of the wireF, and having its upper end laterally inclined, as seen in Fig. 2, andalso bent backward away from the wire slightly, as shown in Fig. 1, soas to engage and turn the ends of any irregularly-directed barbs withoutcausing the latter to bind on the wire. The lower end of said guideplatestands at about half the width of a barb from the wire, so as to merelypermit the barbs upon the latter to freely pass the same. Incontinuation of the guide-plates d, a steel plate, (1", is provided,which is notched at its lower edge, as shown in Fig. 20, for the purposeof allowing the reciprocating pickers, which will be further described,to pass through said notches. The guide-plates d and d are both securedto a bracket, (1, on the upper surface of the bed-plate B. Below saidbed-plate, and from the lower end of said steel plate d, saidguide-plates have continuation in the front vertical face of a casting,L, which extends from said bed-plate into proximity with thespacing-wheel, and whose other uses will be hereinafter referred to.

In front of the steel guide-plate d, and at a suitable distancetherefrom to allow the barbs to pass between it and said plate, is asecond narrow guide-plate, d. (Shown in Figs. 1 and 2.) The object ofthis is to hold the wire from swaying laterally under the action of thepickers or shuttle. This plate d is pivoted, and one end is adapted tobe swung up out of the way to give access to the wire and the barbsthereon, for the purpose of adjusting the pickers for remedying anydefect in the ma chine at this point.

I is a shuttle carrying device for separating at regular intervals onebarb at a time from the body of barbs a resting upon it. Said shuttle,as here constructed, consists of a rectangular casting mounted so as toreciprocate longitudinally and horizontally in two sup porting-lugs, c0, one at each end of the shuttle, properly planed out to receive it,and provided with caps I for the retention of the shuttle in place. Saidshuttle is centrally apertured at c to allow the wire and barbs to passdownward through it, and is provided with two opposite]y-arrauged frontand rear socalled pickers, c and a. By reference to Figs. 4 and 5 itwill be seen that said pickers consist of horizontal chisel-like toolssecured to the shuttle parallel and in line with each other, as viewedfrom the top, and with their free ends protruding from oppositedirections in the aperture 0 of the shuttle. The pickers of each pairare also seen from Fig. 5 to be separated by an oblong space sufficientto allow free passage for the wire F between them, while said pickersare carried backward and forward in the reciprocal movement of theshuttle. As viewed laterally in Fig. 4 the pickers are seen to bebeveled at their ends from the under side, and the ends of the outer orfront pair of pickers, c, are elevated above the rear pair, 0 by thethickness of a barb. The movement of the shuttle is such that when thelatter is carried forward the column of barbs on the vertical part ofthe wire F will escape the front pickers, c, and will fall and rest onthe rearpair, 0 (which may therefore be properly called supports,) andthat when the shuttle is carried backward the chisel-shaped ends of thefront pickers enter the barb column above the lowermost barb thereof,while the rear pickers or supports are withdrawn from beneath it. As aconsequence, said barb is detached from the column, and is free to fallalong the wire F. To secure this operation of the pickers, their freeends or edges are preferably arranged nearly above each other, orsubstantially in the same vertical transverse plane, as plainlyindicated in said Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings.

The pickers are set in longitudinal grooves in the surface of theshuttle, and the rear ones, or supports 0 are held fixedly in place bythe clamping-plates c. The front pickers are held in place by meanswhich provide for suitable positive vertical adjustment thereof, inorder to adapt them for work on barbs of various thicknesses. They arealso held by means which provide for their automatic verticaladjustment, that they may meet the requirements of slight accidentalvariation in the thickness of the barbs in the same mass or columnpresent on the wire F. For these purposes a plate, 0', is bolted to theshuttle over the pickers, c, which plate is constructed to afford roomhe neath it to allow the free or working ends of the said pickers torise and fall, as indicated in Fig. 4.

Beneath the working ends of the pickers e are located verticaladjusting-screws c, which bear against the under side of the pickers,and which serve to positively raise and support their ends at anydesired distance above the adjacent ends of the rear and stationarypickers, c. Above the plate 0 are located two springs, 0", one directlyabove each of the pickers (2. At their inner ends these springs restupon the pins 0, which pass loosely through apertures in the underlyingplate 6" and; bear upon the adjacent pickers 0. Longitudinal adjustmentof the pickers e is efi'ected by means of a horizontal adjusting-screw,e, which is threaded through a suitable lugin the outer endof the shuttle, and is engaged with the Ioo ends of both front pickersby means of an annular .fiange' on the inner end. of i said screw,

' whichworks in corresponding grooves inthe ings.v IO- The shuttle Iisactuated by a lever K ful crumed on the frame at K, Figs. 3 and 4, andprovided at its upper end .with the slot k,

vwhich engages with the pin and block 7a, 10-

cated-in a mortise or, recess in the shuttle, as

willbe understood'by reference to Figs. 2, 3,

4, and 5. The lower end of the lever K terminates in alaterally-projecting lug, k, which has the inclined' form and directionshown in Fig. 4, and the end of which stands in proximity with the innerface of the sprocket-wheel H. For the actuation of said lever K, .thesprocket-wheel is provided with: a series of pins, 1, arranged atuniform distances. apart,

and'in such position that in the rotationof the; wheel theywill strikeon the upper inclined surface of the projection k of the lever K, andthereby force the lower end of the lever inward toward the axis of thewheel, and of course throw the upper end of the lever and the shut-. tletherewith connected outward. The opposite orreturn motion of the shuttleis accomplished by means of a spring, k, acting through the medium of arod, k flexibly connected with the lower end of the lever K, and movablysupported by a bracket, between which and thenut on the end of the rodsaid spring is expansibly confined. The shuttle is thus thrown outwardlyby positive means, but is thrown inwardly bymeans adapted to permit thearrest of the shuttle without injury to the machine in case the frontpickers do not properly separate the barbs. p

A suitable stop is provided on the bed-plate B, at the inner end of theshuttle, to arrest the inward throw of the latter; but none is necessaryfor the limitation of the outward throw, inasmuch as the springimmediately returns .the shuttle themoment the pins Z escape the lug kon the actuating-lever K.

Below the shuttle I, in the course of'the descending barbs, is located arock-stop, 5 Figs. 1, 4, .6, and 7. Said rock-stop consists of a bentsteel plate in the form of a clock-escape,

ment, which is riveted to a casting. pivoted at g to a flange of thecasting L. The bent ends g of the rock-stop g are notched, so that inthe- 'astride the wireF by means of a bracket, 9

secured to the under side of the shuttle in po-I sition to strike theupper end of said stop..

The, opposite movement of the stopis produced by a contractile spring, 9secured at its upper end to a short arm, 9", affixed to the stop, and atits lower endto astationary. arm

secured to the casting L. The tensionof this spring serves to keep theupper end'of the stop constantly in contact with the bracket 9 Theoscillating movement of the stop or escape- .ment 9 is therefore inducedand controlled by the movements. of the shuttle, and is such th'atthebarb detached by the pickers is first arrested by the upper end of therock-stop, and after being released therefrom is next caught bythe lowerend of said stop.

A vibrating lever, z, is provided, to next arrest the barb in its-fallalong the wire F, a short distance below the rock-stop justdescribed.This lever is more clearly shown in Fig. 4, wherein it will be seento-be pivoted at itsupper end within the hollowbox-shaped casting L,andto have its lower end, i, bent outwardlyin a horizontal direction andnotched to straddle the said wire, in the same manner as described ofthe stops 9. The lever '6 is .actuatedby a lever, h, centrally pivotedat h on a .pin at the lower, end of the box-shaped casting L. Theupperend, h of the lever h is h fitted into a recess in the lever'ibelowthepivotal point of the latter, as plainly indicated in Fig. 4,.and an expanding-spring, h, is placed between the upper arnrof theleverh and-the side of the box-shaped casting L, in position to force saidupper end of the lever h toward the lever i, and to thereby carry thelower forked end, 13, of the latter outward into position to catch thebarb. The lower end of the lever h is arranged in position to be struckby the pins l on the sprocket-wheel H at the proper moment to retractthe end 2" and release the .barb arrested thereby.

At a suitable distance below the stop '6, and above the level of theaxis of the sprocket-wheel H, is located an additional stop composed oftwo fingers, m, which are arranged to project, one on eaehside ofthefence-wire, in position to arrest the barb by encountering its ends.Said fingers are directed toward the sprocket-wheel,

- detached inFig. 9, the other being similar to .that shown in saidfigure, except that it is des titute of the projection at the top .and.that at the righthand side, as shown in saidrfigure. These plates orfingers m are-mounted on opposite sides of the plate M, Figs. 8 and 10,at its upper. inner corner, and are rigidly connected to an axial pinwhich works freely .insaidplate The irregularly-shaped fin ,ger-plateshown" in Fig. 9 is located on the rear or inner side of the plate M,and is provided with a laterally-proj ecting pin, of, near its uppermargin. Engaging withthis pinis a-bent lever, a, pivoted atn to theplate M, andhaving its upper end forked to admit the pin n,

.means of the spring m connected toa rear arm of the inner finger-plate,as indicated in Figs. 8 and 10.

The various moving parts or stops last above described, are so actuatedas to successively cross the path of the falling barb andto arrest thesame in its descent along the vertical portion of the fence-wire F. Theseveral distanccs between the points at which the barbs are successivelybrought to rest by the several stops are desirably somewhat less thanthe distance between adjacent recesses in the SplOCkOlJ-WIIGGl for thereception of the barbs 5 and, in particular, the distance between thestop i and the fingers m is preferably materially less than suchintervals on the sprocketwheel. The object of this arrangement of thesaid distances is to insure under all circumstances the presence of abarb on the fingers m in time to deliver the same into the proper recessof the sprocket-wheel. Inasmuch as there is a degree of friction of thefence-wire in the apertures of the barbs, it is possible to obtain asomewhat greater degree of velocity in the operation of the machine orin the feed of the fence-wire than would be given to the barbs ifallowed to fall by gravity alone; but, for the purpose of insuringreliable action at all times, it is generally desirable that the machinebe run at such speed for the fence-wire as does not exceed the velocityof the barbs, if allowed to fall by gravity alone through the shortdistances indicated.

The stationary plate M is preferably constructed, as shown, to projectat a point a little below the finger m into the groove of thesprocket-wheel H, in order to properly guide the wire into said groovein case said wire is bent, (as often occurs,) and the adjacent verticaledge of said plate also operates to hold the barb from turning on thewire in the same manner as the same eifeet is produced by the plate (1,&c., above described.

To more perfectly insure the pressure of the fence-wire F into thebottom of the peripheral groove of the sproeket-wheel, a yieldingpresser, 0, Figs. 1 and 8, is provided, being arranged in a horizontalgroove in the plate M, immediately below the point of said plate, whichenters the groove of the sprocket-wheel, said presser being retained inplace by an outer plate, M, as better shown in Figs. 8 and 10, soapplied as to allow the presser to slide longitudinally with freedom.The inner end of said slide or presser O is inclined or rounded, asindicated in Fig. 8, and bears directly upon the wire, the intentionbeing that when a barb strikes said presser the latter shall beretreated sufficiently to allow the barb to pass, after which thepresser is again brought into position to bear upon the wire itself. Forthis purpose a suitable spring, 0", Fig. 2, is provided, being arrangedto throw said presser inward toward the sprocket-wheel. At its outer endsaid presser is provided with an adjusting-screw, 0, arranged to bearagainst the end of the outer plate, M, and operating to limit the extentof inward throw on the part of said presser. The presser O is arrangedin position to bear against the wire F at a point on the periphery ofthe sprocket-wheel slightly above the level of the axis of said wheel,whereby it serves to hold the wire in a-direct line from thedeflecting-wheel to the sprocket and prevents the deflection thereofthat would naturally be produced by the bend of the wire toward thetwister. This effect is important, for in the gravity-feed described itis obviously desirable that the wire shall pass in proper relation tothe guide-plates and stops in order that the barbs may not be retardedby undue frictional bearing upon the former, or fail to be properlyengaged and released by the latter.

The sprocket-wheel H is provided with a deep circumferential groove,preferably a little more than three-eighths of an inch in width, and ofthe sectional conformation shown in Fig. 3, being of less width than thelength of the barbs. Said wheel is also provided with marginaltransverse notches j to receive the barbs from the fingers m. At oropposite each of these notches the bottom of the circumferential grooveis deepened to form a recess about three-fourths of an inch long in thedirection of the groove and about one-fourth of an inch deep, or rathermore than one-half the depth or width of the barb at its middle point.Said notches j are of course at equal distances apart, and preferablytheir rear walls (having reference to the direction of motion of thewheels) are extended beyond the general periphery of the wheel-flanges,as shown in Fig. 1; and said rear walls are retreated or curvedbackward, as also indicated in said figure. The object of thislast-mentioned feature of construction is to bring the projecting pointsof the sprocket-wheel over the barb immediately after the latter hasstruck the fingers on, so that in case the barb shall rebound it willencounter the projections on the wheel and be forced downward thereby,and its entrance into the notch will be thus insured. The objeet of therecesses in the bottom of the groove, coincident with the transversenotches j, is to enable a kink or bend to be formed in the barbed wireat both sides of the barb, in order that the latter may be morecertainly held in position longitudinally on the fence-wire after thesecond wire has been twisted therewith. For the purpose of producingthis bend in the fence-wire, the wheel 19, overwhich the second wire,1), is guided, is fitted and arranged to en- 7 ter the circumferentialgroove of the sprocket wheel, and is adj ustably held in bearing againstthe fence-wire within said groove. To this end the wheel 1) is mountedon a lever, 12*, pivoted at p to a stationary partof the ma- V p thelatter being arranged to throw the wheel pinto the groove of thesprocket-wheel, and

' plates M and M being better illustrated in Fig.

10. The grooved guide-roller q receives the wire 1) from a reelconveniently placed to deliver the same, and directs it properly to thewheel As will be observed from Fig. 1 of the drawings, and as has beenset forth, the fence-wire-F is delivered .vertically to the sprocketwheel, and,together with the auxiliary wire 1), is taken off saidsprocket-wheel, in a horizontal direction. The wheel 11 is arranged todeliver the wire 1) to the sprocket-wheel .and alongside the wire F,between the pointsat which the latter strikes and leaves the saidsprocket-wheel. By reason of the bend pro-' duced in the wire F, asdescribed, the wire 1) is enabled to twist with the wireF more closelyto. the barb, so as to hold the latter more certainly in place, andbothwires are about equally bent, so as to be under substantially equaltension when the finished cable is put to use. In consequence of thebend thus produced in the wire F, and also for the purpose of insuring aproper uniformity in the spaces between barbs, it is desirable that thewire be made to ad Vance with the same speed as the surface of thesprocket-wheel H, on which it bears. This is done by a proper regulationof the tension upon the spooler, which draws thewire firmly against thesurface of said sprocket-wheel, acting in conjunction with thetensiongiving presser O and wheel 1), which have a constant andconsiderable pressure upon said wire in the sprocket-groove, asdescribed. By reason of the pressure of said wheel 1) against the wire,said wire is held from slipping upon the sprocket-wheel, andthe latteris practically made to act-as a positive feeding device for carrying thefence-wires forward. In consequence of such community of speeds betweenthe sprocket-wheel and the wire F, the barbs, as soon as they engagesaid sprocket, are thereby temporarilyheld practically stationary onsaid wire until permanently fastened, which last effect, as contemplatedin the machine shown, is accomplished by the application of the plain tothe barbed wire to form a cable, as set forth. Except for the bends madein the wire F by forcing the barbs into the (lechine, and connected by arod, 0*, with a spring, -f

.pinlon, G

pressions in the groove of the sprocket, as specified, it would not beabsolutely essential (though desirable) that the wire and sprocketsurface advance thus uniformly; but tosecure a uniform distance betweenthe barbs it would .be necessary that any difference of speed should beconstant, and such constant relative move ment'of the wire and wheel (orbarbs) would be equivalent to the constant 7 stationary rela tion hereincontemplated and produced.

The tension mechanism of the spooler may be of the ordinary adjustableconstruction now in use,.or of anyapproved, character. The manner inwhich the flier of the spooler and twister is herein geared in themachine, however, contributes to a better control of the speed of thefence-wire, as will be apparent from the following description.

N represents the flier-frame of the twisting and spooling mechanism.Said twisting mechanism is in this machine positively geared with theremaining moving parts of the ma- 1 chine, so that a uniform amount oftwist between adjacent barbs is invariably produced in the cable. Thus,by reference to Figs. 1 and 2, B is the driving-pulley, which receivesthe belt from any suitable source or medium of power, and on the shaftof said pulley is a Upon the hub of the flier-shaft is also located apinion, E, in the same plane with the pinion-O. An intermediate spur,

D, communicates power from the driving-shaft to the flier. Upon theshaftD of the wheel D is located a miter-gear wheel, D which meshes withthe corresponding gear-wheel, D on thetransverse shaft D Motion ,iscommunicatedfrom the shaft D to the shaft H of the sprocket-wheel H bymeans of the pinion D and spur H as indicated in Fig. 2. I

In view of the .direct and positive connection of the flier with theother rotating parts of the machine, as described, it is necessary,

in arresting the machine, (for the purpose of repairing a broken wire,supplying a missing barb, or forother reasons,) that the momentum of theflier shall be quickly overcome. To this end thebrake-pulley F isprovided, being mounted 011 an extension of the flier-shaft adjacent tothe sprocket-wheel, as shown in Fig. 1. The pulley is encircled by abrakestrap, f, Figs. land 2, one end ofwhich is secured at f to asuitable arm attached to the adjacent upright T of the flier-frame, andthe opposite end of which is attached to the foot lever y. Thebrake-strap is thus, as indicated, arranged to nearly encircle thebrake-pulley, andby applying power to the foot-lever the flier andentire machine will be simultaneously and speedily brought torest. Thelocation of the brake near the barbing parts of the machine, which, areunderconstant ob servation of the operator, also enables the latter tostop the machine at once when necessity arises.

guided in an accuratelyvertical direction to 13o It is notcneeessarythat the wire F, shall be obtain the effect of gravity in distributingor spacing the barbs; but obviously the more nearly vertical the courseof said wire the more freely will the barbs fall thereon.

It will of course be understood that suitable tension devices of theordinary or any approved construction will, if desired, be applied tothe supply-spools from which the several wires are delivered to themachine.

I claim as my invention 1. In a mechanism for spacing barbs strung upona wire preparatory to securing them thereon, the combination of meansfor giving the wire a vertical direction, whereby the barbs may advanceby gravity, means for feeding the wire forward, and means fortemporarily holding the barbs at proper points 011 the wire,substantially as described.

2. In a mechanism for spacing barbs strung upon a wire preparatory tosecuring them, the combination, with feeding devices for the wire, ofmeans for guiding said wire in avertical direction for a portion of itslength, means for separating the lowermost barbs one by one, at statedintervals, from a column on said vertical wire, means for temporarilyholding the barbs at proper points on the wire, and means for deliveringthe barbs at proper intervals to said holding devices, substantially asdescribed.

3. I11 a machine for spacing barbs strung upon a wire preparatory tosecuring them, the combination, with the rotating sprocket-wheel andmeans for directin the barb-carryi 11g wire vertically thereto, of meansfor separating the barbs one by one, at stated intervals, from thebottom of a column of barbs on said vertical wire, means for catchingthe detached barb and delivering it into a recess of the sprocket, andone or more stops arranged between the said detaching and deliveringdevices, for intermediately arresting and releasing the barb,substantially as described.

4. In combination with the sprocketwheel having peripheral notches atequal intervals thereon, and means for directing the barb-carrying wirevertically thereto, barb-separating devices arranged in the verticalcourse of the wire, and a series of stops between the latter and thesprocket, constructed to successively catch and release the detachedbarbs, and arranged at intervals less than those between the notches ofthe sprocket, substantially as described.

5. The combination, with a rotating wheel, II, having notchesj at equalintervals thereon, and with means for directing the barb-carrying wirevertically thereto, of movable supports c for the barbs a, movablepickers c for separating the barbs, and suitable means for actuating thesupports and pickers simultaneously, substantially as described.

6. In combination with the rotating wheel H and means for directing thebarb-carrying wire vertically thereto, a horizontally-reciproeatingshuttle, I, barb-supports c" thereon,

and separatingpickers c, mounted 011 said shuttle in opposite relationthereto and higher than the supports, substantially as described.

7. In combination with the shuttle I, the stationary supports 0 thevertically-movable pickers e, and means for vertically adjusting saidpickers, substantially as described.

8. In combination with the shuttle I and stationary supports 0 thereon,the verticallymovable pickers c and springs applied to hold said pickersin place, whereby the latter may automatically adjust themselves tobarbs of n11- equal thicknesses, substantially as described.

9. In combination with the shuttle I, carrying barb-supports e, andseparating-pickers e, a positive means for throwing the shuttle outwardto deliver the barbs from the pickers c to the supports 0, and a springfor giving the opp osite movement to the shuttle, substantially asdescribed, and for the purpose set forth.

10. In a mechanism for spacing barbs strung on wire preparatory tosecuring them, the combination, with a rotating wheel, H, and means fordirecting the barb-carrying wire vertically thereto, of means fordelivering the barbs, one by one, to said wheel, and means for insuringpractically equal speed of the wire and wheelsurface, substantially asdescribed, and for the purpose set forth.

11. In combination with the shuttle-carrying devices for separating thebarbs one by one, lateral supports for the wire adjacent to the shuttle,substantially as described.

12. In combination with a reciprocating shuttle for separating thebarbs, a guide-p1 ate, (1", and an opposite movable guide-plate, (1arranged adjacent to the shuttle, substantially as described, and forthe purposes set forth.

13. In combination with a wheel, II, and a wheel, E, for guiding thewire F in a vertical direction, and means for separating the barbsstrung on the vertical part of the wire, a horizontal support adjacentto the wheel E, for the mass of strung barbs, and a movable stop orstops for retaining the barbs on said support, substantially asdescribed.

14. In the horizontal support for the wire and barbs strung thereon, atable, h, having its end toward the delivery-spool laterally inclined,anda removable slotted gate constructed to stop the barbs while allowingthe wire to pass, and operating to laterally retain the wire and barbsupon the table,'substantially as described.

15. In the horizontal support for the wire and barbs strung thereon, aseries of tables, I), having their ends toward the delivery-spoollaterally inclined and their opposite ends depressed, a series ofremovable upwardly-slotted gates located at the depressed ends of saidtables, and constructed to stop the barbs while permitting the wire topass, and means for locking and releasing said gates, substantially asdescribed.

16. In combination with the stationary wheel E for deflecting the courseof the wire, a horiz'ontal removable .support forlthe .wireand barbs,duplicate wire-guiding and barb-restraining mechanisrmar'ranged side. byside thereon, and means whereby the support may be shifted to bringeither wire in line with the deflecting-wheel, substantially asdescribed.

17. In combinationwith the stationary wheel E and upright D, thewire-support G, pivoted at its outer end, and provided with duplexguides for the wire, a shifting-lever, a", for throwing the free end ofthe support, and means for locking the support in its several positions,substantially as described.

18. In combination with the frame upright D, wheel E, and support G,pivoted at 'its outer end, the segmental arm 0 provided with notches r,the lever r, pivoted to said arm and to the free end of the support G,and a latch, r substantially as described.

19. In combination with the elevated support G, the plates or tables 12,uprights c,constructed to give passage to the barbs, pivoted gates 0,provided with notches c, and buttons a", substantially as described, andfor the purposes set forth.

20. In combination with the support G and table I) thereon, the troughG, substantially as described. I

21. In combination with the support G and table I), the trough G andwire-clamp 0*, substantially as described.

' 22. In combination with the support or carrier-frameG and centraldouble table, b, thereon, a trough, G, on each side of the centraltable, awire-clamp, c, at the inner end of each trough, and a roller,11, at the outer end of each trough, substantiallyas described. 23. Incombination with the reciprocating shuttle carrying devices forseparating the barbs, and with the rotating wheel H, provided with pins1, the pivoted lever K, engaged with the shuttle, and provided with thelug k for engagement with the pins 1, and a spring, k substantially asdescribed.

24. The combination, with the reciprocating shuttle, carrying devicesfor separating the barbs on the vertical wire, and with the rock stop 9beneath the shuttle, of a bracket, affixed to the shuttle, and a spring,g substantially as described.

25. In combination with the moreelevated barb-separating devices andwith the lower sprocket-wheel, the vibrating stop i, and means actuatedby the said wheel for vibrating the said stop at regular intervals,substantially as described.

26. The combination, with the sprocketwheel provided with the pins Z atequal intervals thereon, and with the vibrating stop-lever z, of thepivoted lever h, engaged with the lever 2' below its center of motion,and the spring h*, substantially as described.

27. In a machine for spacing barbs strung on wire, the combination ofanotched wheel, H, means for guiding the barbed wire vertically thereto,a barb-separating shuttle, I, stops 9' *5 m, and devices, substantiallyas described, for' operating said shuttleand stops in har-. mony withthe movement of the wheel H,.as set forth.

28. In combination with the grooved sprocket H andmeans for directingthe wire vertically thereto, of the plateM, having its verti-.

. cal edge in proximity to the-sprocket, and the connected oscillatingfingers m, arranged on opposite sides of said plate, substantially asdescribed. r

29. In combination with the grooved wheel H, constructed to receive thebarbs,with means for directing the wire vertically thereto, and Y withmeans for deflecting the wire about said wheel, an adjustable guide, 0,arrangedopposite or above the axis of the wheel, substantially as andfor the purpose set forth.

30. In combination with the grooved wheel.

H, provided with recesses. deeper thanthe groove, 'anautomatieallyadjustable presser,

iw'hereby the barbs are forced into said recesses and the wire is bent,substantially as described.

31. In a machine for the purpose stated, the combination, with thesprocket spacing-wheel for the barbed wire, of means, substantially asspecified, for delivering a supplemental wire to said sprocket-wheel,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

32. In combination withthe rotating grooved sprocket, with means forguiding the wire vertically thereto, and with a twister for taking thewire therefrom, a wheel, p, constructed to enter the groove fordirecting a second wire into the latter, and yielding-pressure devicesfor forcing the wheel p into the groove of the sprocket, substantiallyas described.

33. I11 combination with the sprocket H and presser-wheel p, the groovedguide-roller q, for directing the plain wire, substantially asdescribed.

34.. The combination, with the sprocketwheel H and wire-guidingpresser-wheel p, of the plate M, substantially as shown, and for thepurposes set forth. 7

35. In a machine for spacing barbs upon a wire and for securing them byasupplemental wire, the combination of a sprocket-wheel,

means for delivering the barbed and supplemental wires thereto, and atwister arranged to receive the wires, substantially as described.

36. In a machine for spacing barbs on awire and for securing them by asupplementalwire,

the combination of a wheel, as H, means for delivering the barbed wirethereon at one point, means for delivering the supplemental wire thereonat a second point, and a twister.

arranged to take off both wires at a third point, substantially asdescribed.

37. In a machine for spacingbarbs on a wire and for securing them inplace by a supplemental wire, the combination, with a wheel, as H, of

means for delivering the .barbed wire thereto at stated intervals, meansfor delivering the supplemental wire to said wheel, and a twisterarranged to deflect said wires about the wheel and operating to twistsaid wires to the point where the wires leave the wheel, substantiallyas described.

38. In a machine for spacing barbs strung upon a wire and for securingthem in place by a supplemental wire, the combination of an elevatedsupport for the wire carrying the barbs and for the barbs massedthereon, a deflecting-wheel for said wire, a sprocket-wheel beneath thedeflecting-wheel, devices for separating the barbs on the wire in itspassage to the sprocket, means for conducting the supplemental wire intoproximity with the barbed wire, and a twister, substantially asdescribed.

39. In a machine for spacing barbs strung on a wire and for supplying awire supplemental to that which carries the barbs, to form a cable, thecombination of a twister, barbspacing mechanism, mechanism for directingthe supplemental wire, and gearing which positively connects the spacingmechanism with the twister, substantially as described.

40. The combination, with the elevated support G, the mechanism fordirecting the wire F vertically, and barb-spacing mechanism, of atwister and spooler located beneath the support, substantially asdescribed.

41. In a wire barbing and twisting machine, the combination, with thebarb-applyin g mechanism and with a flier geared therewith, of abrake-pulley, F, 011 the flier-shaft, a brakestrap, f and a lever, fadjacent to the barbing mechanism, substantially as described.

42. In the manufacture of barbed wire, the method of spacing barbsstrung on a wire, which consists in feeding the wire downward in apractically-vertical direction, advancing the barbs along the descendingwire by gravity,

and arresting them at proper intervals on the 40 wire, substantially asdescribed.

ORLANDO P. BRIGGS.

\Vitnesses:

H. S. SPRAGUE, E. SoULLv.

